A Study in War Index

A war, as defined by international law, is an armed conflict between two or more governments or states. When such conflicts assume global proportions, they are known as world wars. A war between different parts or factions of the same nation is called a civil war. A rebellion is not legally considered a war; the armed wing of a rebel movement must have the power to maintain law and order within the regions occupied by them and to carry out war on a large scale (by land, sea, or air) in order to be considered a warring party.

International hostilities sometimes continue for long periods of time without being acknowledged as wars. The Korean War, for example, was regarded by the U.S. government as a police action. Conflicts or wars in which major powers purposely refrain from employing all their armed strength are often known as "limited" wars. Short of peace, such limited wars are now recognized as a preferable alternative to nuclear war and other arguably bloodier conflicts.

International wars are generally terminated by a treaty and civil wars by a peace proclamation. The usages, customs, and treaties of nations have formed a system that consists of the laws of war.

Attached below this introductory statement is a series of essays on wars that have happened in human history. This is, of course, by no means an authoritative source on war. There are three reasons why. First, only a fraction of the total wars that have been fought are covered. Second, an in-depth analysis would be much longer than a short essay. And third, a virtually infinite amount of literature can be published on just about any specific war. Rather, and at best, this written work is more of a reference booklet.

This essay collection is, as its title so obviously suggests, is in the literal sense a "study in war." However, the reader may indeed point out that the treatise is on wars, not war itself. A cogent point, but logic advises that if one is to understand the concept of war, one should look at the wars that have actually occurred.